The Beauty of Roller Coasters

Australia certainly got into roller coasters early. Luna Park in Melbourne has the second oldest one still standing in the world, according to the rec.roller-coaster FAQ. And it's not just standing, it works. However, there just don't seem to be enough roller coaster fans to keep the money flowing into the amusement parks any more.

Sydney's Luna Park, which I fondly remember from my childhood, was closed after a fatal fire in the Ghost Train ride. They opened it again, totally refurbished, some decade later, but financial pressure and the whinging of selfish local residents about noise brought it to its knees again. Indeed, the Big Dipper was finally taken apart and moved, all because some total fuckwits had moved in next to an amusement part and didn't like the noise when it was in operation! (Just like the scumbags who buy homes near the airport and then complain about aircraft noise.) What a shame, since it was such a convenient, accessible amusement park, in a location that will never be matched in this country again, just next to the northern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sometime in 2004, it's due to open again, minus its most loved feature.

So, with this disappointing lack of amusement parks and rides, I have been searching out the roller coasters of the USA on my trips there. It's the opposite to Australia: so many rides, spread over such an enormous number of states! So far, I've managed to try out the rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (CA), Universal Studios Hollywood (CA), Six Flags Magic Mountain (CA), Disney World (FL), Busch Gardens (FL), Dorney Park (PA), Six Flags Great Adventure (NJ) and at the New York New York and Stratosphere hotels in Las Vegas.

For a list of other places I might like to try later: Amusement Parks and Roller Coasters.